Around 1995, Japanese animation (anime) began pouring into North America, Europe and across the globe in video form. Most of these titles were unknown outside of Japan and never covered by animation journals. Whether a title is highly popular or very obscure, a high-quality theatrical feature or a cheap and unimaginative direct-to-video release, they all look the same on a store shelf. Therefore, Animation World Magazine will regularly review several new releases (including re-releases not previously covered) that have merit and about which our readers should know.

Ceres, Celestial Legend, Volumes 1-8. Cover illustration from Anime Art Gallery: The Art of Ceres, Celestial Legend. © Yuu Watase/Shogakukan • Bandai Visual • Studio Pierrot.

Ceres, Celestial Legend. V.1, Destiny. V.2, Past Unfound. V.3, C-Genome. V.4, Resolve. V.5, The Progenitor. V.6, Double. V.7, Requiem. V.8, Denouement.
TV series (24 episodes), 2000. Director: Hajime Kamegaki. 3 episodes/75 minutes. Price & format: DVD bilingual $29.98. Distributor: Viz Video.

Aya Mikage is an extroverted high-schooler. She and her twin brother Aki are brought to their rich grandfather's estate for their 16th birthday party. Aya is shocked when he announces that Aki is to become the new head of their clan, but she must be killed. An unexpected powerful blast levels the mansion and Aya is whisked to safety by a mysterious but handsome stranger.

This teen romantic action fantasy gets off to a rousing start as the stunned Aya discovers that everything she thought she knew about herself and her normal life is false. She is the direct descendent of Ceres, a heavenly angel who came to Earth in the distant past and married a mortal, and is now expected to reincarnate in Aya's body. Or maybe Ceres was an extraterrestrial stranded on Earth who keeps her psyche alive through alien technology. What Aya (and the audience) think they know changes from episode to episode as new legends and theories of truths behind legends are investigated. In any case, there are rival ruthless factions who are determined to possess her for her mighty supernatural or superscientific powers.